Transit Case Assembly

ABSTRACT

A transit case assembly for carrying a firearm scope includes a shell, a first insert, and a second insert. The shell comprises a top piece, which is hingedly engaged to a bottom piece. An interior space defined by the shell is accessible when the top piece is hinged relative to the bottom piece. The first insert and the second insert are engaged to the top piece and the bottom piece, respectively, and substantially occupy the interior space. The first insert and the second insert comprise pre-scored foam and can be selectively plucked to create a cavity that is complimentary to at least one of a scope and an optical accessory. The at least one of the scope and the optical accessory can be inserted into the cavity and secured therein and thus be protected by the shell, the first insert, and the second insert.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention.

The disclosure relates to case assemblies and more particularly pertainsto a new case assembly for carrying a firearm scope.

(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

The prior art relates to case assemblies. Prior art case assemblies maycomprise a case with a foam insert positioned therein, wherein the foaminsert has one or more cavities positioned therein for insertion ofobjects. The prior art does not teach foam inserts having cavitiesintended for insertion of scopes for firearms or the accessories for thescopes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a shell, a first insert, and a second insert. Theshell comprises a top piece, which is hingedly engaged to a bottompiece. An interior space defined by the shell is accessible when the toppiece is selectively hinged relative to the bottom piece.

The first insert and the second insert are engaged to the top piece andthe bottom piece, respectively, and substantially occupy the interiorspace. The first insert and the second insert comprise pre-scored foamand thus are pluckable and configured to be selectively plucked tocreate a cavity that is complimentary to at least one of a scope and anoptical accessory. The cavity is configured for insertion of the atleast one of the scope and the optical accessory so that the at leastone of the scope and the optical accessory is secured within the cavity.The shell, the first insert, and the second insert are configured toprotect the at least one of the scope and the optical accessory.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a transit case assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of thedisclosure in a closed configuration.

FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of thedisclosure in an open configuration.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through6 thereof, a new case assembly embodying the principles and concepts ofan embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the transit case assembly 10generally comprises a shell 12, a first insert 14, and a second insert16. The shell 12 comprises a top piece 18, which is hingedly engaged toa bottom piece 20. An interior space 22 defined by the shell 12 isaccessible when the top piece 18 is selectively hinged relative to thebottom piece 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The shell 12 is at least one ofrigid and flexible. The shell 12 may comprise at least one of plastic,metal, and the like, so that the shell 12 is rigid. The shell 12 alsomay comprise at least one of elastomer, canvas, cloth and the like, sothat the shell 12 is flexible.

The first insert 14 and the second insert 16 are engaged to the toppiece 18 and the bottom piece 20, respectively, and substantially occupythe interior space 22. The first insert 14 and the second insert 16comprise pre-scored foam and thus are pluckable. The first insert 14 andthe second insert 16 comprise at least one of polyethylene foam,polyurethane foam, and the like.

The first insert 14 and the second insert 16 are configured to beselectively plucked to create a cavity 24 that is complimentary to atleast one of a scope and an optical accessory, as shown in FIG. 5. Thefirst insert 14 and the second insert 16 being pluckable allows forcreation of one or more cavities 24 specifically sized for a respectivescope for a firearm. The cavity 24 is configured for insertion of the atleast one of the scope and the optical accessory so that the at leastone of the scope and the optical accessory is secured within the cavity24. The shell 12, the first insert 14, and the second insert 16 areconfigured to protect the at least one of the scope and the opticalaccessory.

A closure 26 is engaged to the bottom piece 20 and is selectivelyengageable to the top piece 18. The closure 26 is positioned to engagethe top piece 18 to the bottom piece 20 to secure the shell 12 in aclosed configuration, as shown in FIG. 3. The closure 26 may comprise azipper 28, as shown in FIG. 3, or other closing means, such as, but notlimited to, clasps, latches, and the like.

A flap 30 is engaged to and extends circumferentially around the toppiece 18, as shown in FIG. 4. The flap 30 is positioned to beselectively extended over the zipper 28, as shown in FIG. 2. A firstconnector 32 is engaged to the flap 30. A second connector 34 is engagedto the bottom piece 20 and is complementary to the first connector 32.The second connector 34 is positioned to selectively engage the firstconnector 32 to fixedly position the flap 30 over the zipper 28. Theflap 30 is configured to limit penetration of liquids through the zipper28. The second connector 34 and the first connector 32 may comprise aperimeter hook and loop fastener 36, or other fastening means, such assnap closures, magnetic closures, and the like.

A handle 38 is engaged to the shell 12 and is configured to be graspedin a hand of a user. The user is positioned to lift and to carry theshell 12 and contents thereof. The handle 38 may comprise a pair of handstraps 40, as shown in FIG. 2. Each hand strap 40 has opposed limits 42that are engaged to a respective one of the top piece 18 and the bottompiece 20 to define an associated hand loop 44. The hand loops 44 areconfigured for insertion of the hand of the user.

A fastener 46 is engaged to one hand strap 40 and is configured toselectively engage the other hand strap 40 so that the hand straps 40 ofthe pair of hand straps 40 are mutually engaged. The fastener 46 maycomprise a panel 48, which has a hook element 50 and a loop element 52disposed singly proximate to opposed edges 54 thereof. The panel 48 ispositioned to be wrapped around the other hand strap 40, positioning thehook element 50 to engage the loop element 52 to mutually engage thehand straps 40 of the pair of hand straps 40. The present inventionanticipates the fastener 46 comprising other fastening means, such as,but not limited to, snap closures, button closures, and the like.

The assembly 10 also may comprise a shoulder strap 56, which has opposedendpoints 58. Each opposed endpoint 58 has first coupler 60 is engagedthereto. The shoulder strap 56 also may have a pad 62 engaged theretoand positioned substantially equally distant from the opposed endpoints58.

Each of a pair of second couplers 64 is engaged to a respective opposedend 66 of the bottom piece 20 of the shell 12 and proximate to side face68 thereof. The second coupler 64 is complimentary to the first couplers60 and thus is positioned to selectively engage a respective firstcoupler 60 so that the shoulder strap 56 defines a shoulder loop 70. Theshoulder loop 70 is configured for insertion of a shoulder of the userso that the shoulder strap 56 is positioned upon the shoulder. Theshoulder strap 56 thus is configured to support the shell 12 andcontents thereof. The second coupler 64 and the respective first coupler60 may comprise a ring and snap hook coupler 72, or other couplingmeans, such as, but not limited to, side release buckles, snap closures,and the like.

Each of a plurality of bottom straps 74 is intermittently engaged to alower face 76 of the bottom piece 20 defining a plurality of bottomloops 78, as shown in FIG. 3. The bottom straps 74 extend in parallel sothat associated bottom loops 78 are aligned. The associated bottom loops78 are configured for insertion of an article, such as a knife, toengage the article to the shell 12.

A patch connector 80 is engaged to the top piece 18 and is configured toselectively engage a patch (not shown) to couple the patch to the shell12. The patch connector 80 allows the user to attach a logo to the shell12. The patch connector 80 may comprise one element of a hook and loopfastener 82, as shown in FIG. 2, or other connecting means, such as, butnot limited to, pressure sensitive adhesives, magnets, and the like.

In use, the first insert 14 and the second insert 16 are selectivelyplucked to create the cavity 24 that is complementary to the at leastone of the scope and the optical accessory. The at least one of thescope and the optical accessory is inserted into the cavity 24 and theshell 12 is closed and secured with the zipper 28. The flap 30 ispositioned over the zipper 28 and secured with the perimeter hook andloop fastener. The user can carry the shell 12, and contents thereof,using the handle 38 or the shoulder strap 56.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unlessthe context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

I claim:
 1. A transit case assembly comprising: a shell comprising a toppiece hingedly engaged to a bottom piece, such that an interior spacedefined by the shell is accessible when the top piece is selectivelyhinged relative to the bottom piece; and a first insert and a secondinsert engaged to the top piece and the bottom piece, respectively, suchthat the first insert and the second insert substantially occupy theinterior space, the first insert and the second insert comprisingpre-scored foam such that the first insert and the second insert arepluckable, wherein the first insert and the second insert are configuredfor being selectively plucked for creating a cavity complimentary to atleast one of a scope and an optical accessory, wherein the cavity isconfigured for insertion of the at least one of the scope and theoptical accessory, such that the at least one of the scope and theoptical accessory is secured within the cavity, wherein the shell, thefirst insert, and the second insert are configured for protecting the atleast one of the scope and the optical accessory.
 2. The transit caseassembly of claim 1, wherein the shell is at least one of rigid andflexible.
 3. The transit case assembly of claim 2, wherein the shellcomprises at least one of plastic and metal such that the shell isrigid.
 4. The transit case assembly of claim 2, wherein the shellcomprises at least one of elastomer, canvas, and cloth such that theshell is flexible.
 5. The transit case assembly of claim 1, wherein thefirst insert and the second insert comprise at least one of polyethylenefoam and polyurethane foam.
 6. The transit case assembly of claim 1,further including a closure engaged to the bottom piece and beingselectively engageable to the top piece, such that the closure ispositioned for engaging the top piece to the bottom piece for securingthe shell in a closed configuration.
 7. The transit case assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the closure comprises a zipper.
 8. The transit caseassembly of claim 7, further including: a flap engaged to and extendingcircumferentially around the top piece, such that the flap is positionedfor being selectively extended over the zipper; a first connectorengaged to the flap; and a second connector engaged to the bottom piece,the second connecter being complementary to the first connector, suchthat the second connector is positioned for selectively engaging thefirst connector for fixedly positioning the flap over the zipper,wherein the flap is configured for limiting penetration of liquidsthrough the zipper.
 9. The transit case assembly of claim 8, wherein thesecond connector and the first connector comprise a perimeter hook andloop fastener.
 10. The transit case assembly of claim 1, furtherincluding a handle engaged to the shell, wherein the handle isconfigured for grasping in a hand of a user, positioning the user forlifting and carrying the shell and contents thereof.
 11. The transitcase assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a pair of handstraps, each hand strap having opposed limits engaged to a respectiveone of the top piece and the bottom piece defining an associated handloop, wherein the hand loops are configured for insertion of the hand ofthe user.
 12. The transit case assembly of claim 11, further including afastener engaged to one hand strap and being configured for selectivelyengaging the other hand strap such that the hand straps of the pair ofhand straps are mutually engaged.
 14. The transit case assembly of claim12, wherein the fastener comprises a panel having a hook element and aloop element disposed singly proximate to opposed edges thereof, suchthat the panel is positioned for wrapping around the other hand strap,positioning the hook element for engaging the loop element for mutuallyengaging the hand straps of the pair of hand straps.
 15. The transitcase assembly of claim 1, further including: a shoulder strap havingopposed endpoints, each opposed endpoint having first coupler engagedthereto; and a pair of second couplers, each second coupler beingengaged to a respective opposed end the bottom piece of the shell andproximate to side face thereof, the second coupler being complimentaryto the first couplers, such that the second coupler is positioned forselectively engaging a respective first coupler, such that the shoulderstrap defines a shoulder loop, wherein the shoulder loop is configuredfor inserting a shoulder of a user, such that the shoulder strap ispositioned upon the shoulder and wherein the shoulder strap isconfigured for supporting the shell and contents thereof.
 16. Thetransit case assembly of claim 15, further including the shoulder straphaving a pad engaged thereto and positioned substantially equallydistant from the opposed endpoints.
 17. The transit case assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the second coupler and the respective first couplercomprise a ring and snap hook coupler.
 18. The transit case assembly ofclaim 1, further including a plurality of bottom straps, each bottomstrap being intermittently engaged to a lower face of the bottom piecedefining a plurality of bottom loops, the bottom straps extending inparallel such that associated bottom loops are aligned, wherein theassociated bottom loops are configured for an inserting article forengaging the article to the shell.
 19. The transit case assembly ofclaim 1, further including a patch connector engaged to the top pieceand being configured for selectively engaging a patch for coupling thepatch to the shell.
 20. A transit case assembly comprising: a shellcomprising a top piece hingedly engaged to a bottom piece, such that aninterior space defined by the shell is accessible when the top piece isselectively hinged relative to the bottom piece, the shell being atleast one of rigid and flexible, the shell comprising at least one ofplastic and metal such that the shell is rigid, the shell comprising atleast one of elastomer, canvas, and cloth such that the shell isflexible; a first insert and a second insert engaged to the top pieceand the bottom piece, respectively, such that the first insert and thesecond insert substantially occupy the interior space, the first insertand the second insert comprising pre-scored foam such that the firstinsert and the second insert are pluckable, wherein the first insert andthe second insert are configured for being selectively plucked forcreating a cavity complimentary to at least one of a scope and anoptical accessory, wherein the cavity is configured for insertion of theat least one of the scope and the optical accessory, such that the atleast one of the scope and the optical accessory is secured within thecavity, wherein the shell, the first insert, and the second insert areconfigured for protecting the at least one of the scope and the opticalaccessory, the first insert and the second insert comprising at leastone of polyethylene foam and polyurethane foam; a closure engaged to thebottom piece and being selectively engageable to the top piece, suchthat the closure is positioned for engaging the top piece to the bottompiece for securing the shell in a closed configuration, the closurecomprising a zipper; a flap engaged to and extending circumferentiallyaround the top piece, such that the flap is positioned for beingselectively extended over the zipper; a first connector engaged to theflap; a second connector engaged to the bottom piece, the secondconnecter being complementary to the first connector, such that thesecond connector is positioned for selectively engaging the firstconnector for fixedly positioning the flap over the zipper, wherein theflap is configured for limiting penetration of liquids through thezipper, the second connector and the first connector comprising aperimeter hook and loop fastener; a handle engaged to the shell, whereinthe handle is configured for grasping in a hand of a user, positioningthe user for lifting and carrying the shell and contents thereof, thehandle comprising a pair of hand straps, each hand strap having opposedlimits engaged to a respective one of the top piece and the bottom piecedefining an associated hand loop, wherein the hand loops are configuredfor insertion of the hand of the user; a fastener engaged to one handstrap and being configured for selectively engaging the other hand strapsuch that the hand straps of the pair of hand straps are mutuallyengaged, the fastener comprising a panel having a hook element and aloop element disposed singly proximate to opposed edges thereof, suchthat the panel is positioned for wrapping around the other hand strap,positioning the hook element for engaging the loop element for mutuallyengaging the hand straps of the pair of hand straps; a shoulder straphaving opposed endpoints, each opposed endpoint having first couplerengaged thereto, the shoulder strap having a pad engaged thereto andpositioned substantially equally distant from the opposed endpoints; apair of second couplers, each second coupler being engaged to arespective opposed end the bottom piece of the shell and proximate toside face thereof, the second coupler being complimentary to the firstcouplers, such that the second coupler is positioned for selectivelyengaging a respective first coupler, such that the shoulder strapdefines a shoulder loop, wherein the shoulder loop is configured forinserting a shoulder of the user, such that the shoulder strap ispositioned upon the shoulder and wherein the shoulder strap isconfigured for supporting the shell and contents thereof, the secondcoupler and the respective first coupler comprising a ring and snap hookcoupler; a plurality of bottom straps, each bottom strap beingintermittently engaged to a lower face of the bottom piece defining aplurality of bottom loops, the bottom straps extending in parallel suchthat associated bottom loops are aligned, wherein the associated bottomloops are configured for an inserting article for engaging the articleto the shell; and a patch connector engaged to the top piece and beingconfigured for selectively engaging a patch for coupling the patch tothe shell.